'Superbug' Test Detects MRSA Faster

Title: 'Superbug' Test Detects MRSA Faster
Category: Health News
Created: 9/30/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/30/2008

Overpriced Drugs

Perfectly Legal

People who need their medication have no choice. They have to buy them if they get sick and drug companies know this. So, no matter how loud Americans scream at their politicians about overpriced drugs, the politicians are always going to have to look after the drug companies, because after all they help to finance their political campaigns.

These are the exact same meds that you see at your local drug store. Same company same package, only with a much lower price tag. Often times, many online pharmacies don't even require a prescription. Even so, there are now doctors who offer their services at a discount right online. Is it legal? The answer to that is yes. If you have a prescription for any legal drug, it is within your rights to bring it over the border.

A Place to Turn to

With so many U.S. doctors now afraid of being labeled an "Elvis" style pill doctor by U.S. regulatory agencies, getting adequate pain medications can be more difficult then ever. Now however, chronic pain sufferers have overseas doctors and pharmacies to turn to to help them find relief form their suffering. Its quick and cheap and easy.

Now, thanks to the Internet, fed up people have a place to turn to for super low priced meds. That place is online pharmacies that operate from overseas locations. The price savings they reap varies between good to simply outrageous, depending on the drug. Antibiotics for instance, which are relatively cheap to produce, tend to be dirt cheap when purchased from online pharmacies.

One of the many things that Americans and Canadians learn when they travel out of their country, is that just about everything is cheaper once you cross the border. Why is this so? Its basic economics and that is that people with more disposable income can and will pay more for goods and services, so they get charged accordingly.

Quick - Cheap - Easy

allergic sinusitis headache
acute sinusitis Infection
allergic sinusitis treaments
treatment methods for allergic sinusitis
acute sinusitis

Older Problem Gamblers Face Increased Suicide Risk

Title: Older Problem Gamblers Face Increased Suicide Risk
Category: Health News
Created: 9/29/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/29/2008

A sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, usually arises because of obstruction of nasal passageways due to which there is inflammation. Now when the nose gets blocked it creates a perfect playground for the bacteria to grow. Sinuses are intended to moisten and clean membranes of the nose and throat. Each sinus has a little opening into the nose which allows for mucus and air to move itself in and out of the sinuses and nose. However when these passageways get blocked, bacteria can thrive in the area causing a terrible sinus problem. Sometimes these problems can take a serious turn where one may have to receive sinus surgery. Sinus infections can range from being acute which usually only last for about 3 weeks or from being chronic, which can last up to 8 weeks to having recurring acute attacks.

Treatment of sinus infection involves natural remedies like hot water treatment which means hot water treatments refer to inhaling vapors of from hot water added with mint or lemon juice. Nasal irrigation mixture sea salt in hot water to desirable amount and put drops of water in one nostril and bring it out from the other. And one must be very careful in the diet one has as all this helps in getting rid of sinus. Steam inhalation, hot compression, nasal irrigation, warm soup, mixture of apple cider vinegar, honey and ginger, garlic etc all have curative properties. Most of these treatments of sinus infection such as home remedies must be started right at the onset of the ailment. Plenty of vitamin C for many months is said to keep the sinus infection at bay. Taking some vitamin A, weekly dose and vitamin E twice weekly may help too, helps control the mucous.

Treatment of Sinus Infection - How Do I Get Rid of a Sinus Infection?

Ayurvedic, homeopathic medicines and Chinese herbal medicines have become very important in the treatment of sinus infection. Doctors prescribe decongestants, antibiotics and even analgesics to cure sinus. Some even go in for endoscopic surgery to get rid of the sinus infection. Yoga has also been seen to have a good relief in the treatment of sinus infection.

Blood Pressure Headache May Be Sinus
acute sinusitis
allergic sinusitis
Treatment Methods For Acute Sinusitis
acute sinusitis

Health Tip: Keep Kidney Infections at Bay

Title: Health Tip: Keep Kidney Infections at Bay
Category: Health News
Created: 9/26/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/26/2008

In the past corrosion was a big problem. Heat sealing a product that is vulnerable to corrosion, such as precision metal products that are vulnerable to rust, eliminates this problem and insures that when the metal item is removed form its heat sealed package, it is virtually devoid of any type of rust or corrosion.

Corrosion Protection

Heat Sealing Machines - The Very Latest Technology

With plastics playing an ever greater role in the packaging industry, heat sealing machines are also seeing more and more use. The reason for this is simple and that is that plastic has to be heated before it becomes pliable. However; this is not the only reason that more and more manufactures and handlers of consumer and industrial materials are using heat sealing machines.

Easy Open Packaging

The Very Latest Technology

Some products are just better suited to be packaged in the presence of heat. For instance, many perishable food items have to be heat sealed unless they are to be refrigerated. Medical tools and equipment in particular, most often have to be packaged under heat with a heat sealing machine, to remain sterile.

There is no doubt that you have purchased products that were packaged in form fitting plastic. Often times the packaging is so secure now, that it often requires a sharp knife to get what ever it is that is contained in it out. This is because the product was packaged using the very latest technology in the from of a heat sealing machine.

While many products that are sealed in plastic can be quite difficult to open, heat sealing technology also is used to seal many types of easy-open products. Once again medical and surgical tools that have to be quickly and easily opened are most often packaged with a heat sealing machine for this very reason.

allergic sinusitis headache
allergic sinus
Treatment Methods For Acute Sinusitis
Treatment of Acute Sinusitis
allergic sinusitis treaments

Scientists ID Compounds That Prevent Brain Nerve Damage

Title: Scientists ID Compounds That Prevent Brain Nerve Damage
Category: Health News
Created: 9/26/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/26/2008

Walkers And Walking Aids - When Do They Become A Necessity?

Should you, or a loved one, have any type of short or long-term physical condition which brings the fear or likelihood of falling while completing the un-extraordinary daily routines we all must deal with, some type of walker or walking aid will very likely bring the help you need. As importantly, if the concerns mentioned above are applicable to someone you care for, perhaps a family member; the subject of a walker or walking aid must be brought up and very frankly discussed. To do less would be uncaring or irresponsible, for the inevitable fall will come. If that fall brings serious injury, there is nothing that hindsight will do to help with the recovery, further loss of independence, or agonizing guilt that will be the result.

There are multiple types of walking aids, including canes, folding walkers, rolling walkers, some equipped with baskets, seats, still others with hand brakes. These devices are carefully engineered and designed to provide precisely the right amount of help and assistance for those with physical challenges. There are devices to accommodate every height, weight, or limitation. However, none will help, none will prevent the inevitable fall, if they are not used by those in need.

The fundamental question one must ask, the bottom line, in any discussion or decision- making process regarding the use of a walker or walking aid is very simple: "Is a serious fall inevitable?" Not something minor, not just a simple stumble and fall to the knees accompanied by a few bruises, but an uncontrollable fall into furniture or a stacked grocery aisle, or the loss of balance while going up or down a stairway. The very real possibility of a serious fall, resulting in serious injury, must either be recognized by the individual himself, or by someone who cares enough to proactively intervene.

As you consider whether or not a walker or other walking aid is a necessity, carefully weigh the recommendations of your medical providers, which will help assure the device you chose is the best suited to the need. Of course, seeking a doctor's help and advice, then finally making the decision to find that device may prove difficult; but, once made, will bring a much safer, healthy, and more independent lifestyle to the one in need of assistance; and peace of mind to all those who love and care for them.

allergic sinusitis treaments
allergic sinusitis
Blood Pressure Headache May Be Sinus
allergic sinusitis infection
allergic sinus

'Fear of Losing' Key Emotion in Economic Decisions

Title: 'Fear of Losing' Key Emotion in Economic Decisions
Category: Health News
Created: 9/26/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/26/2008

The vaccination of every man, woman and child has been in the planning for at least the last several years. The current concept, originated by former Health and Human Services Secretary, Tommy Thompson, (1) is being advanced by his successor, Mike Leavitt.(2) Of course, Thompson envisioned mass vaccination using the smallpox vaccine. But times have changed, and the flu shot combined with threats of a bird flu pandemic now appear to be the instrument of choice for those pursuing the universal vaccination agenda.

With this much evidence that flu shots are ineffective, why would anyone proceed to inject three viruses and a load of toxic chemicals into their body in an attempt to avoid the flu when Vitamin C and hand washing will no doubt be more effective?

Dr. Sherri J. Tenpenny, is respected as one of the countrys most knowledgeable and outspoken physicians regarding the negative impacts of vaccines on health. Through her education company, NMA Media Press, she spreads her vision of retaining freedom of choice in healthcare, including the freedom to refuse vaccination.

The Influenza Vaccine - Proof It Doesn't Work

For the elderly population, the prime target group for flu shots, The Cochrane Group reviewed 64 studies and chided that, The runaway 100% effectiveness touted by proponents [of the flu shot] for the elderly was nowhere to be seen. What you see is that marketing rules the response to influenza, and scientific evidence comes fourth or fifth. (5)

In a review of 51 studies involving more than 260,000 children, including 17 papers translated from Russian, researchers concluded that there was No evidence that injecting children 6-23 months of age with flu vaccines is any more effective than placebo.(3)

For healthy adults, the results were similar. A total of 25 studies were reviewed that included more than 60,000 study participants. Again, The Cochrane Group found that vaccination reduced risk of influenza by a meager 6% and reduced the number of days missed from work by less than one (0.16) day. Researchers concluded,Universal immunization of healthy adults was not supported by the results of this review.(4)

The fact that the flu shots are ineffective in every age group hardly seems to matter to those who continually promote their use. Multiple studies published in highly reputable publications have documented that flu shots are ineffective in all ages. For example, The Cochrane Collaboration produced a series of articles in 2005 reviewing the published literature to determine the effectiveness of the flu shot. Nothing substantiating its usefulness was found.

allergic sinusitis
allergic sinusitis methods
acute sinusitis
allergic sinus
treatment methods for allergic sinusitis

Most Medicare Drug Premiums Same or Lower in 2009

Title: Most Medicare Drug Premiums Same or Lower in 2009
Category: Health News
Created: 9/26/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/26/2008

It follows that the right diagnosis is the step that leads to the right treatment. Only you know what it feels like to live inside your body, making you the expert. Your health is not the time to be complacent. The bottom line is if you don't feel confident in the diagnosis or confidence in the doctor seek out other medical treatment.

Differential Diagnosis
Know ahead of time that because many illnesses present with similar symptoms, doctors often have what they call a differential diagnosis. The differential diagnosis is the diagnosis it could be if the doctor didn't believe it to be the first result. Following the results, if you're unsure or unclear it's fine to ask the doctor what else could this be? When you ask that type of question, the doctor will take time to think outside the box and come up with not only other possibilities, but other tests that could confirm the alternate diagnosis.

In order to receive proper treatment you have to receive the correct diagnosis. You would think that getting it right would be easy, but the body is a mysterious organism and doesn't always give up its mystery easily. The other trouble with getting the correct diagnosis is that too many illnesses present with similar symptoms. Research shows that 10-15% of all diagnoses are wrong. This information is determined at the time of autopsy. What would have been different for the patient if they had received the correct diagnosis?

Getting the Right Diagnosis

Tell Your Story
Upon arrival in the exam room the doctor will want to know what brought you in to the office today. The problem is that after about twenty seconds into your story the doctor has already made a diagnosis. Through years of training, patient experience and the pressure of managed care to treat quickly doctors will make a diagnosis and often interrupt you before you finished telling your story. Once you're in the exam room take the time you need. Tell the doctor the whole story. If you're looking for answers to what is potentially a life-threatening illness, the signs and symptoms didn't just show up the morning of the exam.

acute sinusitis
allergic sinusitis methods
allergic sinusitis methods
allergic sinus
acute sinusitis Infection

Regular Hand-Washing Can Prevent Against Colds, Flu

Title: Regular Hand-Washing Can Prevent Against Colds, Flu
Category: Health News
Created: 9/25/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/25/2008

I thought it was another crackpot cure, but eventually I decided to try it. She had told me that pre-ground flaxseed didn't work because flax seed starts to oxidize as soon as you grind it and that whole flax seeds are no good either, because they cannot be digested properly. After years of IBS, in about two weeks it just went away. I cannot believe that I now have perfectly normal, regular bowel movements.

Daniel believes that his symptoms are related to his emotions and stress: I thought that when I was stuck on the toilet, experiencing the most severe cramps, thinking I was about to pass out from the pain, feeling like I was about to throw up, I was the only one. I'm still trying to work it out but I believe it has a lot to do with my psychological state. I say this because although I don't get too stressed out at any one moment, I do have general worries about money and life. I tend to find when I'm not worrying about these things I don't get the pain as much, if at all.

Flaxseed

It's easier said than done of course, I can't just stop worrying about money or my future, but being aware of these things seems to help - being optimistic and knowing that everything is only temporary. I have been taking Colpermin (peppermint capsules) as a preventative which often helps and for a while I took painkillers which I think helped.

Stress and IBS

Some nutritionists believe that IBS sufferers intestines react differently to soluble and insoluble fiber, and this has been Stus experience: After trying all kinds of drugs and healthy eating, my pains were still there. I found by accident that it wasn't so much what I ate but whether I ate it on a full stomach or not. My failsafe is pasta on an empty stomach, I get no reaction - it is soluble fibre that settles the colon apparently. I quickly searched on the internet for recipes high in soluble fibre and I have improved.

If you have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you will know how difficult it is to treat. Doctors can be dismissive of IBS symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation and bloating, and when treatment is offered it may only help for a short while before the distressing symptoms return.

Most significantly though I am on no medication and this puts me in control of the IBS, not the other way around. I think this is important as stress certainly can trigger the symptoms off. I don't avoid insoluble fibre as it is essential for the body, but I recommend that you eat it on a full stomach.

Pam, who struggles with constipation, has developed a combination of things which work for her: I drink Metamucil (psyllium fibre) every day and try to relax, pray or meditate, even do a little yoga. The more I make myself relax and take time to de-stress the better I can manage my problem. I know time for yourself is very hard to come by sometimes but I have to if I'm going to manage this. I try to drink at least three bottles of water a day. This is also hard sometimes but I have to take care of me the best I can. I also take a mild anti-depressant. This has helped a bunch in my stress department and in turn has helped my IBS.

Laura describes how a close examination of her diet helped her IBS: I was placed on every kind of medication, and sometimes they worked in the short term, sometimes they didn't work at all. The doctor finally suggested trying to alter my diet in cycles, and we discovered that eating meat was my problem. I became a vegetarian and no longer have constant problems. Sometimes I even go years without any pain at all. It's worth all the effort you put into it when you finally feel better.

Fiber, water and yoga

Watching your diet is sometimes not enough to completely control the symptoms, and natural or herbal supplements can help, as Marion discovered: After about six months of a horrendously restrictive diet (ultra low-fat vegan with no raw veggies or fruit except banana) and a lot of Metamucil, I managed to get it sort of under control. But if I deviated from the diet, the chronic diarrhea would come back. Someone I met told me that she had helped her IBS by taking a tablespoon of freshly ground flaxseed with a glass of water or juice every morning.

All the self-help tips in this article have come from IBS sufferers who have found a way to control their irritable bowels. Before trying any form of self-help, please make sure that you have your doctors approval, and do check that anything you try will not interfere with any medication you are taking.

Digestive enzymes and probiotics

Calcium tablets

If you suffer from constipation rather than diarrhea, you could try magnesium supplements instead, as these can have a slight laxative effect.

Sufferers often find that they have to deal with the symptoms themselves, through self-help methods and supplements, rather than by using conventional medicines. However, this does not mean that there is no hope of improvement. By sharing their experiences, sufferers can learn a lot about what really helps to ease IBS.

Looking at your diet

Linda, who suffers from severe diarrhea, says: What has helped me for more than two years is calcium carbonate, an over-the-counter supplement. I take three tablets a day, one at each meal. The most success has come from using any formula of calcium supplement that is like Caltrate 600 Plus with vitamin D and minerals. The only side effect is at the beginning of taking the calcium you may have some gas or indigestion, but this usually goes away after taking a regular dose for a few days.

Soluble versus insoluble fiber

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Simple Self-Help Tips

Kim, who also suffers from bad diarrhea, says: I tried taking digestive enzymes with acidophilus and found significant relief within three days. I am not afraid to eat now, but find that I still cannot eat very much refined sugar or high fibre vegetables. I have also added a cup or two per day of peppermint and chamomile tea. When I do have an episode it occurs late in the day and by the next morning I am feeling back to normal.

acute sinusitis
allergic sinusitis treaments
Blood Pressure Headache May Be Sinus
Blood Pressure Headache May Be Sinus
allergic sinusitis treaments

Only 4.6% Survive Cardiac Arrest

Title: Only 4.6% Survive Cardiac Arrest
Category: Health News
Created: 9/24/2008
Last Editorial Review: 9/24/2008

• Sinus infection or sinusitis (caused by pressure in the nasal passages.)
• Migraines
• Hormone changes such as those that occur in the premenstrual phase
• Tension headaches (caused by stress and the type of sore head that most closely resembles the one caused by high BP.)
• Cluster headaches (come in groups and last a half an hour to several hours and occur more than once a day for a prolonged period of time.)
• Dental problems (a referred pain pattern of head discomfort associated with a toothache.)
• Eye problems (is caused by an infection or problem with the eye such as glaucoma)

Those listed above are the commonest cause of head pain but of course there are many other possibilities too - if you have persistent headache then please go see your doctor for a check over. You should not rely on internet information for diagnosis of health problems. When you look at the scientific journals there is no convincing research to prove that high BP causes pains in the head - although from looking after many thousands of hypertensive patients, I know for certain that it does. This makes it even more confusing of course. Hypertension is known as the silent killer because of its lack of any symptoms that can be directly attached to the problem. All of the high BP symptoms can also be associated with any number of other conditions. The only way to diagnose hypertension is by monitoring the BP level. Hypertension headaches usually only occur when the patients BP is at a very high level - or when there has been a sudden surge in the level and in this context it can be a warning feature of the need for urgent treatment. You need to keep in mind that up to ninety percent of all headaches are stress induced or stress related and aggravated. Learning to relax can be very beneficial for your BP level as well as for any other stress related symptoms you are experiencing.

Blood pressure headache can certainly be a problem but don't forget that many patients with hypertension have no symptoms of any kind. A sore head does not always mean that you must have high blood pressure!

Blood Pressure Headache

allergic sinusitis headache
allergic sinusitis treaments
acute sinusitis
treatment methods for allergic sinusitis
acute sinusitis

Stroke Prevalence Higher, Deadlier Among American Indians

Title: Stroke Prevalence Higher, Deadlier Among American Indians
Category: Health News
Created: 9/24/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/24/2008

20 Facts to Know About Antibiotics

acute sinusitis
Treatment Methods For Acute Sinusitis
acute sinusitis Infection
acute sinusitis
allergic sinusitis headache

Humble Honey Kills Bacteria

Title: Humble Honey Kills Bacteria
Category: Health News
Created: 9/23/2008
Last Editorial Review: 9/23/2008

Bad breath may have its origin associated with oral problems (teeth and gum problems), systemic problems (those arising from the respiratory tract, lungs, stomach and digestive tracts) or from illness such as cold, infections in the throat, tonsillitis, etc. It may also be caused due to drying of the mouth (xerostomia) and due to poor oral hygiene.

If the condition is caused due to systemic problems, it can be reduced by removing or treating the systemic cause. Bad breath due to problems from the stomach is associated with conditions such as gastritis, reflux, heart burn, ulcers, etc.

This substance is used to combat bad breath both directly and indirectly. The peppers are used directly when the source for bad breath is a dry mouth and indirectly when the cause is an underlying gastrointestinal problem.

Cayenne, whose scientific names are Capsicum frutescens or Capsicum annuum, is a hot pepper that is derived from capsicum and has an active ingredient called capsaicin. It is regularly used to treat a variety of conditions such as sinusitis, headaches, asthma, diabetes, pneumonia, arthritis, psoriasis, etc. It is helpful in improvement of blood circulation and the removal of toxins from the body. It is also helpful in treating a variety of gastrointestinal problems and aids in improving the digestion.

How To Use Cayenne To Cure Bad Breath

Treating such systemic conditions is done with the help of drugs that are prescribed by a physician. In addition to this, there are some herbal cures and some homemade remedies that help alleviate the problem to certain extent. One such option to cure systemic conditions arising from the stomach is Cayenne Pepper. Cayenne and bad breath are polar opposites. The chemicals in this food attack and can break down many of the internal gastrointestinal chemicals which cause bad breath. Again, while it may not work for all people, this is a fast and easy way to prevent bad breath problems from arising in the first place.

Capsaicin in the pepper is helpful in combating bad breath by improving the flow of saliva and stimulating stomach secretions. In cases of dry mouth, chewing on some peppers of cayenne improves flow of saliva and thus reduces bad breath.

Bad breath or halitosis is a common cause for worry and embarrassment for many people especially when the condition becomes chronic, meaning the person suffers from it all the time. It makes them very conscious of their surroundings and it may hinder the social life of the person. Those people may want to begin eating more cayenne pepper, as it has been proven to be a simple solution to many bad breath problems. While it will probably not work as a permanent remedy, cayenne pepper has been noted as a possible substance for treating mild cases of halitosis.

Combating these gastrointestinal problems helps in indirectly reducing bad breath as these problems are a cause for halitosis. In addition to helping you get more saliva in your mouth, this substance is also helpful in improving the clearance of waste from the system thus reducing intestinal gases that may cause bad breath.

Cayenne, though a hot pepper, is a helpful ingredient in reducing gastrointestinal problems and is frequently used by many people suffering such problems and associated problems such as bad breath.

allergic sinusitis treaments
Blood Pressure Headache May Be Sinus
allergic sinusitis methods
acute sinusitis Infection
Treatment of Acute Sinusitis

Women's Peripheral Artery Disease Tied to Secondhand Smoke

Title: Women's Peripheral Artery Disease Tied to Secondhand Smoke
Category: Health News
Created: 9/23/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/23/2008

If you are not living in a desert or in an isolated island devoid of the common facilities of civilization, hopefully you can get all these things in your community store. Then why should you visit online drug store? Does it offer anything extra that you cannot get in your local shop? Of course it does. Let's see how internet drug stores help us.

Some more Benefits of Online Drugstore:

You may think that the product you get at discount is either of low quality or not manufactured by a popular brand. But this is not true. You can always get branded products at reduced rate from your online drugstore. Moreover, you can purchase your facial skin care products from anywhere and at anytime. You can finish your shopping sitting right at your apartment, and carry on browsing showcases for as long as you want. What else a dedicated shopper can dream of?

Secrets of Online Drugstore

The whole store comes at your fingertip as soon as you enter the website. For those who are yet not familiar with the concept of online shopping and internet, online drug store has sufficient help documents for them. The help section ensure a pleasant experience for online shoppers of all ages.

However, you should always seek advice from medical practitioner before taking any medicine. Be sure about the doses suitable for you before you apply them on yourself or anybody else. Once you are sure about what you need, just hit your online drugstore to buy them.

Most attractive offer online drugstore presents is the price reduction! As they do not need to maintain a physical shop and office, they save money on maintenance, tax, rental and overheads. This enables them sell the products at a discount rate. And who does not like concessions?

Moreover, safe and secured payment process makes the whole thing good for shoppers. Different modes of payments like credit cards, paypal etc. make it simple for you to purchase things online.

Internet is in the pulse of today's world. Whether it is information, product or service, we look it on internet first. Searching online is easy and comfortable; moreover it saves us time. Internet, coupled with e-commerce, is the perfect concoction for shoppers who wish to go webby. And an online drugstore is exactly what online shoppers need when it comes to buy pharmaceuticals, prescription medicines, and facial skin care or hair care products.

Internet drug store generally presents wide range of product apart from conventional pharmaceuticals. Fragrances for men and women, sports stuffs, electronic goods are also available there. So you should not miss the opportunity to take a look at the latest products in electronic superstore while purchasing your facial products!

acute sinusitis
acute sinusitis Infection
acute sinusitis
acute sinusitis
acute sinusitis

Health Highlights: Sept. 21, 2008

Title: Health Highlights: Sept. 21, 2008
Category: Health News
Created: 9/22/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/22/2008

Virginia J. Duffy PhD Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Author, Psychotherapist, Seminar leader, Educator, Consultant.
Practical, Jargon-Free, and Professional.
Check out My Website for:
Mental Health Tidbits & Blog, questions and answers. Find articles on a variety of mental health related topics.
Get your Crisis Intervention Guide a must have for those who work with people in distress, for only $24.99 (watch for specials)

Antipsychotic are classified as typical and atypical

Typical Antipsychotics include:

The other to me more serious concern is the overuse of these medications, especially in children and older adults. There has been lots of much needed discussion of these issues recently.

Medications used to treat psychotic disorders are called antipsychotics. They have also been referred to as neuroleptics and major tranquilizers. The first antipsychotic, Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) was discovered in 1952 by French psychiatrist Pierre Deniker. At the time, it was considered a miracle drug because it helped many people with schizophrenia be able to live outside the institution for the first time.

References:
Torrey, E ( 2001). Surviving Schizophrenia. Quill, NY
Physicians Desk Reference (2008) American Psychiatric Association,
Stahl, S. Essential Psychopharmacology 2nd ed. (2004)

• ziprazodone (Geodon)
• risperdone (Risperdal)
• quetiapine (Seroquel)
• olanzepine (Zyprexa)
• aripiprazole (Abilify) is the latest antipsychotic medication to hit the market. It is said to be different from the others in that it balances dopamine levels in the brain rather then simply decreasing it.

There have been many questions lately about use of these medications "off label". This means using the medication for illnesses it is not yet approved by the FDA for. This is not as bad as it sounds. The FDA is very slow and potentially political and it could take years to get approval for other uses that clearly help patients. Clinicians are often on there own about how to best use these medications. Good clinicians keep up with the latest research and information from colleages.

These are the newer antipsychotic drugs that are equally effective but have fewer side effects then the typical antipsychotics. They are also referred to as second generation.

• chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
• haloperidol ( Haldol)
• trifluopeazine (Stelazine)
• Thioridazine (Mellaril)
• fluphenazine (Prolixin)
• molidone (Moban)
• thiothixene (Navane)
• loxapine (Loxatane)
• perphenazine (Trilafon)
• mesoridazine (Serentil)

Atypical Antipsychotics

Antipsychotic Medication - What You Need to Know

Clozapine was the first atypical antipsychotic introduced in the US in 1990. The risk of TD is said to be ten times less with these new medications. Atypical antipsychotics are the drug of choice in the US. They are very effective but are also expensive. They are the drugs of choice in the US. As time goes on however, we are learning that the atypical antipsychotic drugs also have significant side effects. There continues to be growing concern about weight gain, metabolic syndrome and endocrine changes.

Antipsychotics are dopamine antagonists. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that allows messages to pass between cells in the brain. It is believed that an excess of dopamine in the brain can cause too much stimulation between brain cells and that results in confusing messages and symptoms of psychosis. Dopamine antagonists block the reuptake of dopamine from the blood which results in decreased dopamine in the cells.

Atypical Antipsychotics include:

Antipsychotic medication is the most important aspect of treatment for schizophrenia and quickly becoming a first choice for Bi-Polar 1 (not Bi-Polar 2) disorder. These drugs do not cure these illnesses but rather manage and control the symptoms just as medication and insulin can do for diabetes.

How Antipsychotics Work.

allergic sinus
allergic sinusitis
Sinus Headache Symptoms
treatment methods for allergic sinusitis
treatment methods for allergic sinusitis

Drug Combo Fights Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Cell Growth

Title: Drug Combo Fights Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Cell Growth
Category: Health News
Created: 9/19/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/19/2008

Competetition Means Cheaper and Better Drugs

With the cost of prescription drugs on the rise and many people questioning how expensive it is going to be to cure diseases in the future, drug development services around the globe are working to keep the cost of new drugs down? How are they doing this? Drug Development services are in fact, the "sub contractors" in the business of finding new cures for diseases and by competing amongst themselves they insure that drug development costs will be at a minimum.

Subcontractors of the Prescription Drug Business

Drug Development Services And The Roll That They Play In Bringing New Drugs To The Consumer

Through the course of finding and testing a new drug, multitudes of tests and experiments must be ran. Also, mountains of pages of documents must be written, organized and submitted. For a drug company to do all of the work on their own and "in house" it would require an army of employees and research facilities the size of an average small city. Of course, all of the cost of such a massive bureaucratic and research infrastructure would have to passed on to the consumer when they bought the drugs that were produced.

It can take decades to actually find a cure for a disease and in fact there are diseases today, such as cancer, that no cure has yet been found for after billions have been spent in a fruitless search. Even after a cure is found and a drug is discovered, it takes and average of ten years for it to pass safety tests and be approved by the FDA for use in the U.S. So, discovering and testing drugs is a very expensive and time consuming prospect.

An Army of Researchers is Needed

acute sinusitis
allergic sinusitis infection
allergic sinusitis headache
Sinus Headache Symptoms
Blood Pressure Headache May Be Sinus

Health Tip: Pregnancy and Back Pain

Title: Health Tip: Pregnancy and Back Pain
Category: Health News
Created: 9/19/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/19/2008

Although the FDA has a stated focus of protecting the citizens, it manages to disregard any alternative natural remedies and cures due to the management and regulation of natural remedies. Cures and remedies found in nature can neither be regulated nor patented and the FDA can therefore control neither the production value nor the consumption of the products. Because of this, the FDA cannot clear natural cures for use by the population to cure or treat diseases or conditions. Only pharmaceutical companies have the capacity to regulate the production of drugs and create a consistent product. By creating a homogenized product, the FDA can then regulate its use in the marketplace and approve these drugs for use by the general population. In this regard, the FDA manages to regulate the drug distribution, but also fails to recognize the potential of natural remedies and cures. As explained in Kevin Trudeaus book Natural Cures, the neglect of natural remedies and cures manages to protect only the pharmaceutical industries instead of providing consumers with the best possible cure for their condition.

Why The FDA Suppresses Natural Remedies and Cures

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is designed to regulate the medications and food products in America. By testing and regulating these consumable goods, the FDA controls which products enter the marketplace and which pharmaceuticals doctors can prescribe for patients. Originally designed to help protect the health of the consumer base, the FDA has become a larger entity in a federal government heavily influenced by large, wealthy corporations who constantly lobby government officials to protect their interests. Since the FDA regulates pharmaceuticals, one of the most profitable products in America, drug companies have spent millions of dollars to push their products into the marketplace. Since the FDA can only regulate drugs and cures that originate from controlled areas (and not nature), they have passed into law a statement that only drugs and surgery can prevent and cure disease. As stated in the book Natural Cures by Kevin Trudeau, by attempting to control the consumption of pharmaceuticals, the FDA has managed to suppress any and all natural remedies and cures.

Treatment Methods For Acute Sinusitis
Blood Pressure Headache May Be Sinus
acute sinusitis
allergic sinusitis headache

Calcium Supplements Cut Blood Lead Levels During Pregnancy

Title: Calcium Supplements Cut Blood Lead Levels During Pregnancy
Category: Health News
Created: 9/19/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/19/2008

Rule#1--first, get your prescriptions by seeing a real, live doctor. Don't buy online from sites that offer to prescribe a medicine for the first time without a exam by your doctor or that sell a prescription medicine without a prescription.

There are 4 things you must do to to fill a your prescriptions online. 1. A power of attorney&release form. 2. A patient profile questionnaire. 3. a valid American prescription. 4. Your billing information.

They can easily be submitted online, faxed in, or signed and mailed to the online pharmacy. It is extremely important to provide as much information as possible when filling out the online consultation. Without a complete backgound of your medical history as it relates to you doctors will be to provide the best possible care. Online pharmacies are becoming increasingly popular as a quick, painless way to order medications without having to make a trip to your local pharmacy.

Rule#2--You can tell if a website is legitimate because these sites always require a prescription by your doctor or a legitimate healthcare provider. Also a written verification policy is usually posted on the site.

There are 3 simple ways to recognize a legitimate internet pharmacy.

Ways You Can Recognzie a Legitimate Online Pharmacy

allergic sinusitis methods
acute sinusitis Infection
allergic sinusitis
allergic sinusitis infection
allergic sinusitis infection

Health Tip: Good Scents During Pregnancy

Title: Health Tip: Good Scents During Pregnancy
Category: Health News
Created: 9/19/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/19/2008

Itchy eyes and runny nose for a longer period of time is the next allergies sinus problems. Also, fever and fatigue are the usual problems faced by sufferers. In addition, other problems include loss of taste and smell, excess coughing, weakness, earache and watery eyes.

The first problem is excessive sneezing for 8 to 10 times in a row or continuation. It is important to heal this quickly so that it does not able to make tense situations further.

These are some of the allergic sinus problems and treatments that can be helpful to cure the sufferers.

Besides, these medications, homemade remedies are also a big pain relievers. Neti is one of the traditional processes for irrigating the nasal passages. Neti nasal irrigation heals the allergy sinuses problems with no harm on human body. Also, inhale steam from hot water and take plenty of rest are the other treatments.

Sinus allergies occur when airborne substances irritate the sinuses and later give birth to allergies. The substances that are transported in air are pollen tree, rage wood, mold, dust and other pollutants. These particles block the sinus passages and discourage the mucus to flow freely. Researchers studied that 70-80% of sinusitis people are having allergies also. Allergies and sinusitis can intricate the regular life of people. There are some of the allergies sinus problems that must be cured before it is too late.

Allergies Sinus Problems

If allergic sinus problem are irritating for a maximum time then specialized doctor should be consulted. Both prescription and over the counter drug are effective to cure allergies sinus problems. Many people sometimes try anti-histamines to control it. Nasal sprays and decongestants are also recommended.

allergic sinusitis methods
Sinus Headache Symptoms
acute sinusitis
allergic sinusitis infection
acute sinusitis

Premixed Insulin May Offer Better Blood Sugar Control

Title: Premixed Insulin May Offer Better Blood Sugar Control
Category: Health News
Created: 9/18/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/18/2008

Zack: Zack seems more alert in school and participates more in class. We are seeing less of him going into total "shut down".

Endnote
1 Jacob Liberman, Light-Medicine of the Future (Santa Fe. New Mexico: Bear and Company, 1991), p. xv.

On January 29, 2007, the Principal of North East Institute sent Dr. Lizotte the following assessment of seven students who had been receiving the therapy we have just described. The names are fictionalized to preserve privacy.

It is a special education school for adolescents who are so seriously disruptive that they cannot function in a regular classroom. The school's first task is to try to discover the factor(s) that seem to cause these students to be disruptive.

Carol: At this point I have not seen much change except for the fact that she is able to use the saccadic fixator now and has previously been unwilling or unable to do so.

Richard: At the beginning of the year Richard could not even tolerate being in class for the entire period. It is still difficult to get him to complete assignments but he is more willing to try to work on activities that address his weak reading and writing skills.

International, Rochester, Vermont.

Tom: Tom is working hard on handwriting and written expression. He has become less difficult to redirect.

In early 2006, Dr. Lizotte informed me of an exciting new use of light therapy that he was directly involved with at the North East Institute in Holyoke, Massachusetts called NERI.

Jim: Jim is now more willing to participate in classroom activities. We have seen him become more productive with less acting out.

As noted previously, light therapy deals with the intimate relationship between body and mind (spirit). The affective (emotional) side of us is seen as foundational in terms of physical health. Present traditional analysis, counseling, and medication, often concentrate on simply erasing the pain rather than finding its cause and dealing with it. They will be replaced by light therapy that sees and treats the mind and body as mind-body, one intimately connected, functioning, whole, system. The focus of light therapy is upon the person - the whole person and not on the disease.

Brian: Brian has missed a lot of school so it is hard to judge right now.

This and subsequent direct references from this work are reprinted by permission of Inner Traditions

The Institute hoped to build each student's diagnosis and treatment into their individualized educational plan so that financial costs and human costs will be drastically reduced with a positive benefit to each adolescent and to society.

Update for Dr. Lizotte
1/29/07

Eye testing revealed that a substantial majority of these young people had functioning vision disabilities such as poor eye tracking which effectively prevented them from learning to read.

Liberman and I agree with two important statements with which he concludes his work and I conclude this article. These statements are "the study of light affirms the interconnectedness of all things" and "let the light in" (207)!

Dan: We are thrilled with the progress Dan is making. He is relating to people more and
making more eye contact. When he first began vision therapy he never participated with the group but spent his time doing his "own thing" such as playing with cars. Now he comes to class and works with the group. He even initiated reading a book to the class. Up to this point we did not know for sure if he could even read!!! He tells everyone that "eye coordination with the doctor" is helping him. (Isn't that cute???)

Light therapy is a non-invasive technology unlike the commonest therapies of today, which involve powerful very invasive drugs with all kinds of undesirable side effects. At times it is a toss up as to which is worse the proposed cure or the disease! We are into the "light age." If Liberman is accurate in his predictions, "scalpels will be replaced by lasers, chemotherapy by phototherapy, prescription drugs by prescription colors, acupuncture needles by needles of light, eye glasses by healthy eyes. Cancer will be a disease of the past." 1

Dr. Lizotte decided to utilize tracking exercises and balancing, "physical therapy for the eyes," using the Spectral Receptivity Trainer as the bedrock procedure for getting the students' autonomic nervous systems in balance. The results as of early spring 2006 were impressive. After a range of twelve to twenty-four treatments, dependent on each student's disability level, the treated student's disruptive behavior declined to the point where they were able to be mainstreamed into a regular classroom and were able to learn to read.

Treatment Methods For Acute Sinusitis
acute sinusitis
allergic sinusitis treaments
allergic sinusitis methods
Treatment Methods For Acute Sinusitis

Health Tip: Booster Seat Safety

Title: Health Tip: Booster Seat Safety
Category: Health News
Created: 9/18/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/18/2008

This article, although submitted to Ezine Articles on May 31, 2008, was written several months prior to an Ezine Articles published report "A New Light on Cancer" that was published on June 2, 2008. It is an update of the further development of the Royal Rife Ray Tube first reported in "A New Light on Cancer". The content is in the form of a scientific news report given by Mr. Tumey to the author by postal mail and e-mail (and later by a telephone call), with clarifying points inserted at numerous intervals by the article's author.

and reconstructing a working replica of Royal Rife's Original Ray Tube Apparatus, 1994) pp. 1-2. Used

On December 22nd he e-mailed the following response together with a power point presentation that shows the system and it's components and how it works, as well as the real data collected from some experimental subjects. Mr. Tumey wrote:

Currently there are two working prototypes. One is located in a medical clinic in Hermosillo, Mexico and is being operated by a Dr. Romero. The other is located in a lab in Dayton, Ohio where research into this technique continues.

1 David Tumey and William H. Sheline, "Royal Rife Revisited: Reconstruction of the Original Rife Ray

Just before Christmas 2006, I e-mailed David Tumey for an update on what had happened since his and Sheline's original work on the Royal Rife Ray Tube in terms of developing a method for isolating the offending organism in each specific case and finding the exact frequency which causes that organism to disintegrate, and being able to do so in a more precise and time efficient manner.

Tube" (Ohio, a paper written by the aforementioned authors describing their years of work researching

with permission of David M. Tumey who sent the paper to me and his December 22, 2006 e-mail

With regard to the "detection of Mortal Oscillatory Rates (MORs) in vivo, after Rife perfected his light-heterodyning technique for imaging live bacteria viruses microscopically, he next discovered that a radio frequency (RF) plasma (light) could destroy the pathogens if it was modulated at a resonant frequency. This frequency he called the Mortal Oscillatory Rate or MOR. To discover frequencies that had the desired destructive effect on a given targeted pathogen, he would observe the bug under his microscope while he painstakingly tuned a frequency generator until devitalization was observed. He would then repeat these experiments until a precise MOR could be determined. These were the treatment frequencies he used as part of his therapy. He developed his cancer-fighting protocols through this technique having discovered that certain forms of cancer could be transmitted via a filterable virus - a virus that could be destroyed in vivo if a patient was exposed to this properly modulated RF plasma energy field.

In the late 90's, early 2000's Dr. Lu Lala of Dayton OH began work trying to solve this problem. Dr. Lu is a Chiropractor and had been practicing medicine for his entire adult life. He used to work with instruments called galvanometers and Pico ammeters used in measuring small electrical potentials and currents. As a chiropractor, he used these devices to diagnose subluxations (pinched nerves). His idea was to locate electrical sensors along spinal dermatomes connected to a multi-channel Pico amp meter. His protocol called for tuning a frequency generator across a band of potential MORs while observing the electrical activity of the selected dermatomes. He would mark any resonant frequencies that were acquired as potential therapeutic frequencies. Thus his idea was to "Scan" a human subject and determine in vivo all of the various resonant MORs that would subsequently be used in later treatments. To help automate his procedure, he used a video camera with time-lapse photography and a programmable frequency generator. He would run a scan on a patient (which normally would take about 2 hours) then review the video that showed both the MOR frequency and dermatome response. He would record the actual frequencies of interest in a lab notebook. This review process took several hours to complete and was done after a scan had been recorded." 1

I have the Power Point presentation that shows the system and its components and how it works as well as real data collected from some experimental subjects. This is a fascinating presentation that shows that light is playing and will continue to play an ever-expanding role in highly effective non-invasive therapies. Light is the medicine of the present and the future.

When Mr. Tumey got involved in the project around 2001/02 time frame, he developed a software algorithm that completely automated the entire process. Using a computer, and a computer-controlled frequency generator, his system would scan a patient and automatically record the electrical response from the Pico amp meter. Once the scan was complete, all the relevant data was already in the computer, all the operator had to do was to go through the data and "click" on the potential MOR frequencies which were subsequently loaded into a therapy table that would be used in future treatments. This technique reduced the entire scan, recording and analysis time to approximately one hour. Since this time, he has developed an improved system that is anticipated to reduce these times to about 20 minutes.

A New Light on Cancer - Royal Rife Ray Tube, and MORs in 2008

update.

Endnote

Treatment Methods For Acute Sinusitis
allergic sinusitis headache
Sinus Headache Symptoms
allergic sinusitis methods
allergic sinusitis infection

Health Highlights: Sept. 15, 2008

Title: Health Highlights: Sept. 15, 2008
Category: Health News
Created: 9/16/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/16/2008

As a group, the fluoroquinolones have excellent in vitro activity against a wide range of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The newest fluoroquinolones have enhanced activity against gram-positive bacteria with only a minimal decrease in activity against gram-negative bacteria. Their expanded gram-positive activity is especially important because it includes significant activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Second Generation. The second-generation fluoroquinolones have increased gram-negative activity, as well as some gram-positive and atypical pathogen coverage. Compared with first-generation quinolones, these drugs have broader clinical applications in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections and pyelonephritis, sexually transmitted diseases, selected pneumonias and skin infections.

The newer fluoroquinolones have a wider clinical use and a broader spectrum of antibacterial activity including gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic organisms. Some of the newer fluoroquinolones have an important role in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and intra-abdominal infections. The serum elimination half-life of the fluoroquinolones range from 3 -20 hours, allowing for once or twice daily dosing.

Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics Classification, Uses and Side Effects

The fluoroquinolones as a class are generally well tolerated. Most adverse effects are mild in severity, self-limited, and rarely result in treatment discontinuation. However, they can have serious adverse effects.

First Generation. The first-generation agents include cinoxacin and nalidixic acid, which are the oldest and least often used quinolones. These drugs had poor systemic distribution and limited activity and were used primarily for gram-negative urinary tract infections. Cinoxacin and nalidixic acid require more frequent dosing than the newer quinolones, and they are more susceptible to the development of bacterial resistance.

The newer fluoroquinolones have a wider clinical use and a broader spectrum of antibacterial activity including gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic organisms. Some of the newer fluoroquinolones have an important role in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and intra-abdominal infections.

Because of concern about hepatotoxicity, trovafloxacin therapy should be reserved for life- or limb-threatening infections requiring inpatient treatment (hospital or long-term care facility), and the drug should be taken for no longer than 14 days.

The fluoroquinolones are a relatively new group of antibiotics. Fluoroquinolones were first introduced in 1986, but they are really modified quinolones, a class of antibiotics, whose accidental discovery occurred in the early 1960.

The fluoroquinolones are a family of synthetic, broad-spectrum antibacterial agents with bactericidal activity. The parent of the group is nalidixic acid, discovered in 1962 by Lescher and colleagues. The first fluoroquinolones were widely used because they were the only orally administered agents available for the treatment of serious infections caused by gram-negative organisms, including Pseudomonas species.

Because of their expanded antimicrobial spectrum, third-generation fluoroquinolones are useful in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia, acute sinusitis and acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, which are their primary FDA-labeled indications. The third-generation fluoroquinolones include levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin and sparfloxacin.

Fluoroquinolones advantages:

• Ease of administration
• Daily or twice daily dosing
• Excellent oral absorption
• Excellent tissue penetration
• Prolonged half-lives
• Significant entry into phagocytic cells
• Efficacy
• Overall safety

Fluoroquinolones are approved for use only in people older than 18. They can affect the growth of bones, teeth, and cartilage in a child or fetus. The FDA has assigned fluoroquinolones to pregnancy risk category C, indicating that these drugs have the potential to cause teratogenic or embryocidal effects. Giving fluoroquinolones during pregnancy is not recommended unless the benefits justify the potential risks to the fetus. These agents are also excreted in breast milk and should be avoided during breast-feeding if at all possible.

• Gastrointestinal effects. The most common adverse events experienced with fluoroquinolone administration are gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain), which occur in 1 to 5% of patients.
• CNS effects. Headache, dizziness, and drowsiness have been reported with all fluoroquinolones. Insomnia was reported in 3-7% of patients with ofloxacin. Severe CNS effects, including seizures, have been reported in patients receiving trovafloxacin. Seizures may develop within 3 to 4 days of therapy but resolve with drug discontinuation. Although seizures are infrequent, fluoroquinolones should be avoided in patients with a history of convulsion, cerebral trauma, or anoxia. No seizures have been reported with levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin, and gemifloxacin. With the older non-fluorinated quinolones neurotoxic symptoms such as dizziness occurred in about 50% of the patients.
• Phototoxicity. Exposure to ultraviolet A rays from direct or indirect sunlight should be avoided during treatment and several days (5 days with sparfloxacin) after the use of the drug. The degree of phototoxic potential of fluoroquinolones is as follows: lomefloxacin > sparfloxacin > ciprofloxacin > norfloxacin = ofloxacin = levofloxacin = gatifloxacin = moxifloxacin.
• Musculoskeletal effects. Concern about the development of musculoskeletal effects, evident in animal studies, has led to the contraindication of fluoroquinolones for routine use in children and in women who are pregnant or lactating.
• Tendon damage (tendinitis and tendon rupture). Although fluoroquinolone-related tendinitis generally resolves within one week of discontinuation of therapy, spontaneous ruptures have been reported as long as nine months after cessation of fluoroquinolone use. Potential risk factors for tendinopathy include age >50 years, male gender, and concomitant use of corticosteroids.
• Hepatoxicity. Trovafloxacin use has been associated with rare liver damage, which prompted the withdrawal of the oral preparations from the U.S. market. However, the IV preparation is still available for treatment of infections so serious that the benefits outweigh the risks.
• Cardiovascular effects. The newer quinolones have been found to produce additional toxicities to the heart that were not found with the older compounds. Evidence suggests that sparfloxacin and grepafloxacin may have the most cardiotoxic potential.
• Hypoglycemia/Hyperglycemia. Recently, rare cases of hypoglycemia have been reported with gatifloxacin and ciprofloxacin in patients also receiving oral diabetic medications, primarily sulfonylureas. Although hypoglycemia has been reported with other fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin and moxifloxacin), the effects have been mild.
• Hypersensitivity. Hypersensitivity reactions occur only occasionally during quinolone therapy and are generally mild to moderate in severity, and usually resolve after treatment is stopped.

Third Generation. The third-generation fluoroquinolones are separated into a third class because of their expanded activity against gram-positive organisms, particularly penicillin-sensitive and penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae, and atypical pathogens such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae. Although the third-generation agents retain broad gram-negative coverage, they are less active than ciprofloxacin against Pseudomonas species.

Second-generation agents include ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, lomefloxacin, norfloxacin and ofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin is the most potent fluoroquinolone against P. aeruginosa. Ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin are the most widely used second-generation quinolones because of their availability in oral and intravenous formulations and their broad set of FDA-labeled indications.

Conditions treated with Fluoroquinolones: indications and uses

Classification of Fluoroquinolones

Fourth Generation. The fourth-generation fluoroquinolones add significant antimicrobial activity against anaerobes while maintaining the gram-positive and gram-negative activity of the third-generation drugs. They also retain activity against Pseudomonas species comparable to that of ciprofloxacin. The fourth-generation fluoroquinolones include trovafloxacin (Trovan).

All of the fluoroquinolones are effective in treating urinary tract infections caused by susceptible organisms. They are the first-line treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis in patients who cannot tolerate sulfonamides or TMP, who live in geographic areas with known resistance > 10% to 20% to TMP-SMX, or who have risk factors for such resistance.

• Urinary tract infections (norfloxacin, lomefloxacin, enoxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, trovafloxacin)
• Lower respiratory tract infections (lomefloxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, trovafloxacin)
• Skin and skin-structure infections (ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, trovafloxacin)
• Urethral and cervical gonococcal infections (norfloxacin, enoxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin, trovafloxacin)
• Prostatitis (norfloxacin, ofloxacin, trovafloxacin)
• Acute sinusitis (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin (Avelox), trovafloxacin)
• Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (levofloxacin, sparfloxacin (Zagam), gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, trovafloxacin)
• Community-acquired pneumonia (levofloxacin, sparfloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, trovafloxacin)

Side effects

acute sinusitis Infection
allergic sinusitis infection
Sinus Headache Symptoms
acute sinusitis Infection
acute sinusitis Infection

Thumbs Down on Beta Blockers for High Blood Pressure

Title: Thumbs Down on Beta Blockers for High Blood Pressure
Category: Health News
Created: 9/16/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/16/2008

The ancient art of Traditional Chinese Medicine goes back a couple of millennia and its treatment techniques and knowledge have changed over time; however the basic principles of the art remain unchanged. To balance out the Yin and Yan in a human body, this is the founding principle of Chinese Medicine to achieve equilibrium between the difference forces that are at work inside the human body. The five forces or phases of Wu Xing should be taken into consideration in order to balance the Yin and Yan.

Wu Xing Rocks

In the philosophy of the five Wu Xing phases it is said that certain elements can upset or change the balance. These are categorized in to two sections generating or constructive interaction and overcoming or destructive interaction. For example a generating interaction would be wood creates fire, fire creates earth, earth creates metal, metal carries water, water nourishes wood. Similarly a number of other generating and overcoming relationships between the five phases can be explained similarly.

In traditional Chinese medicine Wu Xing elements are used to describe the fluctuations in the human body and the interaction between different organs. Each of the five Wu Xing phases are said to be responsible for the functioning of different body parts for example, the tongue is controlled by fire while the skin is controlled by metal. The five phases are also used to describe certain mental and emotional ailments such as anxiety and sadness. Thus it is possible to cure an illness by diagnosing which part of the body carries the ailment and treating it so that the five phases are balanced out.

allergic sinus
allergic sinus
allergic sinusitis
allergic sinusitis methods
acute sinusitis

Bisphenol A Tied to Health Problems

Title: Bisphenol A Tied to Health Problems
Category: Health News
Created: 9/16/2008
Last Editorial Review: 9/16/2008

Another example of these opposing actions is that Rg and Rg-1 enhance cardiac performance, whereas Rb depresses cardiac function. Other ginsenosides have shown antiarrhythmic activity similar to that of verapamil and amiodarone. Oral ginseng was found to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, decrease platelet adhesiveness, impair coagulation, and increase fibrinolysis in cholesterol-fed rats. Ginsenosides may reduce stress by acting on the adrenal gland.

CV: chest pain, hypertension, palpitations.

No standards exist for ginseng despite availability of chromatographic assays for ginsenosides and ginseng polysaccharides.

For improved well-being in debilitated elderly patients, 0.4 to 0.8 g of root daily P.O. on a continual basis.

Interactions

Points of Interest

Ginseng is popularly claimed to minimize or reduce thymus gland activity. Other claims include its use as an antidepressant, an aphrodisiac, a demulcent (soothes irritated or inflamed internal tissues and organs), a diuretic, a sedative, and a sleep aid. Short-term use of the herb may improve concentration, healing, stamina, stress resistance (adaptogenic), vigilance, and work efficiency; long-term use is claimed to improve well-being in elderly patients with debilitated or degenerative conditions. Few claims have supporting data from animal studies and fewer still have data from human studies.

Common Trade Names

Skin: pruritus, rash (with ginseng abuse).

Advise the patient not to take ginseng for a prolonged period.

CNS: headache, insomnia, nervousness.

Adverse Reactions

Reported Uses

Araliaceae

Instruct the patient with preexisting medical conditions to check with his health care provider before taking ginseng.

Contraindications And Precautions

Although studies conducted in humans were mostly small and poorly designed, results suggest that ginseng has several beneficial effects. Improvement in appetite, emotional lability, sleep, and work efficiency in animals and humans indicates the ginseng's ability to enhance physical and mental performance. Ginseng may also indirectly exhibit corticosteroid-like effects.

Chemical components

Tea bags: 1,500 mg ginseng root

Dosage

It is estimated that 6 million people in the United States use ginseng regularly. In oriental cultures, it has been used for its medicinal properties for more than 2,000 years.

Actions

Source

Multi-ingredient preparations: Bio Star, Cimexon, Energy Rise, Fast Lane Herb Tea, Gincosan, Ginsana, Ginsatonic, Ginseng Action, Neo Ginsana

Capsules: 100 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg

Monitor the patient for signs and symptoms of ginseng abuse syndrome. This syndrome occurs when large doses of the herb are taken concomitantly with other psychomotor stimulants, such as tea and coffee. Symptoms include depression, diarrhea, edema, euphoria, hypertension, insomnia, loss of appetite, rash, and restlessness. The existence of this syndrome is debatable.

The most common species is Panax quinquefolius, commonly known as American or Western ginseng. Sought after most commonly for its root, the plant's other characteristics (wild or cultivated) and the shapes of the root make it more valuable. Traditionally, ideal plants are at least 6 years old. Panax ginseng is known as the Asian, Korean, or Japanese ginseng. Asian ginseng usually undergoes treatment, such as drying and curing, before it is sold; the American variety undergoes less manipulation and carries less distinction.

Extract: 2 oz root extract (in alcohol base)

Commentary

Ginseng is composed primarily of ginsenosides, also known as panaxosides. About 12 major panaxosides have been isolated but are found in only minute quantities and are difficult to purify on a large scale. Other components of the plant isolated for pharmacologic effects include a volatile oil, beta-elemine, sterols, flavonoids, peptides, vitamins (B 1 , B 2 , B12 panthotenic acid, nicotinic acid, and biotin), fats, polyacetylenes, minerals, enzymes, and choline.

MAO inhibitors (hypericin, parnate, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine): Adverse reactions include headache, mania, and tremor. Avoid administration with ginseng.

Ginseng decreased fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin Ale levels in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients such that some diabetics were free of insulin therapy for the duration of the study . The herb has also been shown to be beneficial in patients with hepatic dysfunction, hyperlipidemia, and impaired cognitive function.

Taxonomic Class

Special Considerations

Although it was abundant in eastern North America, American ginseng is now considered threatened because of aggressive harvesting for commercial sales.

Public interest in ginseng has been increasing. Although the herb appears to have promising uses, additional human efficacy, toxicity, and interactions data are needed. Ginseng has an interesting and unique pharmacologic profile, but ingestion of the plant is not without risk, despite its use for centuries.

Also available as a cream, eye gel, nutrition bar, and oil. The root is available in bulk by the pound.

GI: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.

Several pharmacologic effects have been noted that vary with dose and duration of treatment. The panaxosides, found in the root, are thought to be the pharmacologically active agents. Although they are similar in structure, sometimes these compounds exert opposing pharmacologic effects. For example, ginsenoside Rb-1 has analgesic, anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, and CNS depressant effects; stress ulcer-preventing action; and acceleration of glycolysis and nuclear RNA synthesis. Ginsenoside Rg-1 has antifatigue, CNS stimulating, hypertensive, and stress ulcer-aggravating activities. These opposing features form the basis for the theory that ginseng serves to "balance bodily functions."

Advise the pregnant or breast-feeding patient to consult a health care provider before taking ginseng because safety has not been established.

Common Forms

GU: impotence, mastalgia, vaginal bleeding.

Monitor the diabetic patient for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia. Advise him to monitor his blood glucose level closely until effects are known.

Contraindications And Precautions-Home Remedies

Urge the patient to watch for unusual symptoms (diarrhea, insomnia, nervousness, palpitations) because of the risk of ginseng toxicity.

Avoid using ginseng in pregnant or breast-feeding women; effects are unknown. Use cautiously in patients with CV disease, diabetes, hypertension, or hypotension and in those who are also receiving steroid therapy.

Root powder: 1 oz, 4 oz

Hypoglycemic activity in rodents has been documented, but the mechanism of action has not been proved . Extracts of ginseng have shown antioxidant activity on human erythrocytes in a laboratory model and prevented the development of morphine tolerance in rats. Some studies in animals have documented ginseng's anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities and its hepatoprotective effects at low doses (destruction at high doses) in a rat model, whereas others found that tumors in mice were suppressed by components of ginseng.

Antidiabetic agents, insulin: Increased hypoglycemic effect. Use together cautiously.

Dosages vary with the disease state; usually, 0.5 to 2 g of dry ginseng root P.O. daily or 200 to 600 mg of ginseng extract P.O. daily in one or two equal doses.

Ginseng has been given a positive evaluation from the German Commission.

acute sinusitis
acute sinusitis Infection
acute sinusitis
acute sinusitis
allergic sinus

Sensor Detects Levels of Brain Chemicals

Title: Sensor Detects Levels of Brain Chemicals
Category: Health News
Created: 9/13/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/15/2008

Traditional or homemade remedies are also adopted to cure acute sinusitis. Steam inhaling and hot compress over sinus pain areas is one of the best and effective treatments for acute sinusitis.

Cure Your Acute Sinusitis

Infection fills in mucous membrane and sinuses because of mucus, pus and air. The symptoms that commonly occur are pain and pressure over the affected sinus areas. The pain is throbbing when a person bends forward or lie down. Runny nose, yellow or green discharge, high temperature, toothache are the symptoms of acute sinusitis. Sometimes, chewing food also become full of pain. Children also carry some of the symptoms like snoring, mouth breathe, irritation. Moreover, mothers find it difficult to feed their child who is bound to acute sinusitis.

Acute sinusitis occurs when infection develops fast in sinuses and lasts for not more than two or three weeks. Spread of viruses and bacteria in sinuses is one of its main causes. The other causes that are prone to infection include poor immune system, flue, cold, pregnancy and smoking. In some cases, it occurs because of the infection in maxillary sinus area.

Decongestants and nasal sprays are also the best relievers to unclog sinuses and mucous membrane. These drain out the accumulated mucus and clean the sinus passages. It is advisable that any of these pain relievers should not be used for more than 3 to 4 days. It is so because it could lead to rebound congestion in future.

Mostly, people are infected of virus and bacteria that can be cleared out by immune system in few days or a week. Pain killers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can be take on the advise of pharmacist. These painkillers cure the person's acute sinusitis fast and effectively.

acute sinusitis Infection
Blood Pressure Headache May Be Sinus
acute sinusitis Infection
Treatment of Acute Sinusitis
acute sinusitis

Sensor Detects Levels of Brain Chemicals

Title: Sensor Detects Levels of Brain Chemicals
Category: Health News
Created: 9/13/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/15/2008

Herbal Compress - Top 10 Herbs

There are many other herbs that are also used in the compress such as: basil, cayenne, cinnamon, cumin, lemon, mandarin orange, garlic, nutmeg, and lavender.

KAFFIR LIME:

Taste: aromatic

Taste: Sour, bitter

Top 10 Compress Herbs

TURMERIC:

Application: Lowers blood pressure, diarrhea, fever, ulcers and sores.

Application: Saunas and steams, used for calming nervousness, Treatment Methods For Acute Sinusitis anxiety, and panic attacks. Tea and inhalation help with Sinus Headache Symptoms of eyes, heart disease, fever and chronic thirst

Taste: Bitter

Properties: Anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, carminative, expectorant

Taste: Hot

Application: Calming effect on nervous system, vapor, treats nervousness, insomnia, stress, Sinus Headache Symptoms or migraine headaches

Properties: Antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitussive, expectorant, diaphoretic, pectoral, antibacterial, anti fungal, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, anti migraine, and also an insect repellent.

Taste: Hot, aromatic

LEMONGRASS:

Application: General tonic for health and longevity. Stimulant for digestive tract. Combats flatulence, indigestion, gastritis, peptic ulcer, diarrhea, sluggish digestion, nausea, vomiting.

Properties: Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant

Properties: Anti-septic

PEPPERMINT:

TAMARIND:

Each herb holds therapeutic properties that offer many benefits. Below is a description of what properties each of the top 10 herbs may provide as well as the taste and application.

JASMINE:

Properties: Analgesic, anti-emetic, anti-spasmodic, antitussive, aphrodisiac, appetiser, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, expectorant, nervine, refrigerant, sedative, stomachic, tonic

Properties: Antioxidant, antitussive, astringent, blood tonic, carminative, emmenagogue, expectorant, stomachic

Properties: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, anti-septic, anti-spasmodic antitussive, bronchodilator, cardiac, diaphoretic, expectorant, pectoral, sedative, stimulant
Taste: Hot, aromatic

Properties: Anti-septic, anti-stringent, blood tonic, carminative, digestive, expectorant, female tonic, laxative, nutritive, tonic, purgative, refrigerant, stimulant

Application: stimulant for digestion, constipation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, back pain.

Properties: Antiseptic, astringent, cardiac, emmenagogue, nervine, sedative

Application: Inflammation and antioxidant damage such as cataracts, arthritis, cancer, and heart disease, scabies and digestive disorders; promotes wound healing, strengthens immune system, infections, gallbladder problems, dysentery, liver disorders, indigestion.

PRAI:

Taste: Sour

Taste: Hot, aromatic

Application: Skin beautifier, nourishes skin, smoothes stretch marks during pregnancy, aches and Sinus Headache Symptoms inflammations, joint problems, muscle spasms, Blood Pressure Headache May Be Sinus and strains, torn muscles and ligaments, asthma, chronic colds, colic, constipation, diarrhea, fevers, flatulence, heartburn, immune problems, influenza, nausea, respiratory problems, wounds, improves circulation, tones the stomach, improves appetite, increases mental alertness and improves memory.

Taste: Hot

CAMPHOR:

Taste: Sour

GINGER ROOT:

Applications: Thai saunas, decongestant - inhaled to treat colds, congestion, sore throat, cough bronchitis, and sinusitis, blocked menstruation, eye infections, fevers, typhoid, and lung infections. Stimulates brain, heart and circulation, calms stress, anxiety and insomnia

Properties: Analgesic, anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, anti-septic, antitussive, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic, tonic

Application: Treats colds, congestion, sinus, lung, cough, bronchitis, asthma, sore throat and respiratory aliments aches & pains, blisters, burns, catarrh, chicken pox, circulation, cuts, cystitis, diarrhea, diphtheria, emphysema, fever, headaches, herpes, influenza, insect repellent, lice, measles, migraines, nephritis, neuralgia, rheumatoid conditions, sinusitis, skin, ulcers, sprains, throat infections, wounds.

EUCALYPTUS:

1. CAMPHOR

2. EUCALYPTUS

3. GINGER ROOT

4. JASMINE

5. KAFFIR LIME

6. PRAI

7. PEPPERMINT

8. LEMONGRASS

9. TAMARIND

10. TURMERIC